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May 28, 20261
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North Korea's Intelligence Chief Expresses Full Support for Russian Armed Forces
North Korea's intelligence chief publicly declared full support for Russian military operations on May 28, 2026, at an international security forum in Moscow. The statement accompanied reports of North Korean military personnel deployed to Russia for combat operations and infrastructure support missions under a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement.
Quick Facts
Who
Ri Chang Dae
What
North Korea expressed full support for Russian Armed Forces
When
May 28, 2026
Where
Moscow
- North Korea expressed full support for Russian Armed Forces
- North Korean service members deployed to Russia
- North Korea sent demining teams to Russia
- Military engineers deployed for infrastructure reconstruction
- Operations focused on liberating Kursk Region
North Korea's state intelligence chief Ri Chang Dae declared full support for Russia's military operations at an international security forum in Moscow on May 28, 2026. Speaking at the First International Security Forum hosted by the Russian Security Council, Ri Chang Dae stated that Pyongyang backs the Russian Armed Forces as they defend the country's sovereignty and security interests. He emphasized that North Korea would continue developing friendly relations with nations pursuing independence and justice.
The statement reflects deepening military cooperation between the two countries. North Korea has deployed service members to Russia to participate in operations aimed at liberating the Kursk Region, acting under Article 4 of the Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the nations. Beyond combat troops, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has authorized the deployment of demining teams to conduct mine-clearance operations and military engineers to assist in rebuilding damaged infrastructure throughout Russia.
Why This Matters
This declaration signals a dramatic escalation of the North Korea–Russia military alliance, moving from covert cooperation to open public support. For readers, this matters because it demonstrates how geopolitical alignments are reshaping military conflicts in real time: North Korean troops and engineers are now actively engaged in Russian operations, blurring the line between proxy support and direct military involvement. This has implications for regional stability, sanctions enforcement, and the broader question of how smaller nations leverage military partnerships to gain leverage in global affairs.
Timeline & Sources
May 28, 2026
WireNorth Korean intelligence chief Ri Chang Dae declares full support for Russian Armed Forces at International Security Forum in Moscow